Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. I am ten feet tall. Well, actually, I am five feet ten inches tall, but sometimes it feels like ten feet. All of my friends have long brown hair that cascades down their backs while I have a curly, red mane that often borders on the frizzy side. Finally, to top it all off, I have a plethora...

When I chose to play the trombone nearly a decade ago, my mom suggested I pick the piccolo instead since the trombone was as big as I was; however, I was determined to become a trombonist because my Papa was a trombonist. In the fall of my junior year, I visited the University of Pennsylvania for the first time. While standing in the Quadrangle surrounded by the beautiful autumn trees, the Penn Band came strolling along. One of the band�...

Now we’d like to know a little bit more about you. Please respond to one of the following six questions (Required length is 200-250 words): Celebrate your nerdy side. Inevitably, each year on the first day of school at least one teacher will ask us to provide a fun fact about ourselves. Every fall since I earned my black belt in jujitsu I have shared that fact; however, this past school year I had a new fun fact to...

There is a Quaker saying: “Let your life speak.” Describe the environment in which you were raised—your family, home, neighborhood or community—and how it influenced the person you are today. (Required length is 200-250 words) When I chose to play the trombone my mother suggested I pick the piccolo instead since the trombone was as big as I was; however, I was determined to be a trombonist because my Papa was a trombonist. My Papa has always been...

We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Answer this question, which corresponds to the school/program you selected above, in a half page or roughly 250 words. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - UVA engineers are working to solve problems that affect people around the world, from our long-term water purification project in South Africa to continuing to research more efficient applications of solar power. However, most students start small, by...

Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you'd like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you've had to help us understand you better-perhaps related to a community you belong to, your sexual orientation or gender identity, or your family or cultural background-we encourage you to do so. Real people are reading your application, and we want...

You may wish to include an additional essay if you feel that the college application forms do not provide sufficient opportunity to convey important information about yourself or your accomplishments. You may write on a topic of your choice, or you may choose from one of the following topics: What you would want your future college roommate to know about you? I am a band geek and a Rubik’s Cube fanatic. I’m the quintessential nerd and proud of...

Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 max) This summer I was a sleep-away camp counselor, the pseudo mother to nine eight-year-olds. My job included waking them, escorting them to activities, and rinsing their hair. I changed a bed-wetter’s urine-soaked sheets on the sly so the others did not discover her secret, and consoled a homesick camper who often wailed until two a.m. I have never worked so hard or been so sleep deprived;...

Describe two or three of your current intellectual interests and why they are exciting to you. Why will Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences be the right environment in which to pursue your interests? (Please limit your response to 650 words.) Some people do not leave home without their lucky coin or favorite socks. I do not leave home without my Rubik’s Cube. Solving the Rubik’s Cube was the achievement of a goal of mine. My mom gave me...

Which aspects of Tufts’ curriculum or undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short: “Why Tufts?” (Required length is 50-100 words) My little brother says that I smile when I hear the word “robotics,” and he is right; I do. I became a member of my school’s robotics team, the Cyberhawks; it was the natural progression of my love for science and mathematics. These passions inspired me to pursue engineering. Tufts University provides opportunities for hands-on involvement and research in...

What primarily set me apart from other applicants was the fact that I am a white girl applying for engineering. However, even beyond that I have been...

When it comes to summer activities, I am a believer that you have to do what makes you happy instead of being too caught up in what colleges want to see. I went to sleep away camp, my happy place,...

My favorite courses of high school have been AP physics B and honors physics, computer science, and news literacy. Physics is my passion. It is something that just resonates with me and I just "get" it. My physics teachers for both honors physics and AP physics...

I chose Penn because of the general atmosphere and the strong engineering program. Penn has an intellectual vibe. With that said, however, it has a...